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(No Model.)

W. F. FREEMAN.

GAR COUPLING.

Patented June 5,1883.

WiZWSSGSJ N. PETERS. Pmtv-utha npher, wuaiupm I1;

UNITED STATES] PATENT OFFICE.

wALTER F. FREEMAN, F MINEoLA, TEXAS, AsSIGNoR, BY DIREoT AND MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, oF THREE-FoURTHs To-RoBERTSoN F. SHREW- DER, GEORGE A. CAGE, AND BENJAMIN F. READ, ALL OF SAME FLAoE.

CARPCOUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,789, dated June 5, 1883.

' Application filed October 28, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it'may concern,

Be it known that I, WALTER F. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mineola, in the county of Wood and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Coupling Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to car-couplers, the ob- IO ject being to provide a coupler of simple and durable construction which may be coupled automatically, thus avoiding the inconvenience and danger incident to the use of the usual coupling link or pin.

The invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts, hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a portion of a car and draw-head having my improved coupling, devices applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same; and Fig. 3 represents a detached view of my improved form of couplinglink.

A represents a-portion of the end of a car, and B the draw-head, the latter being provided with an extension, B. This extension B is provided with a longitudinal recess, b, adapted to receive an extended end, 0, of a sliding block, 0, and coil or other spring, 0, one end of the latter bearing against the end of the extension 0, while the opposite end has bearing against the end of the extension B of the drawhead. The under side of the extension 0 of the block is grooved to receive a pin, 0, projecting from the bottom of the recess b to guide saidblock.

The spring 0 operates to force the block 0 into the mouth of the draw-head B.

D represents a vertically-sliding rod, supported in staples or guides d, projecting from the end A of the car. Said rod is bent at its lower end to form a right angle, D, the end d of which forms the coupling-pin to engage the link. The upper end of the rod Dtermi- Dates in a handle, (P, by means of which the rod is raised from the top of the car to disengage the link.

E represents a lever, pivoted at one end to the end of the car and formed with a bend or loop, 6, to embrace the angle D of the rod D, and terminating in a handle, 6, by means of which the coupling-pin may be raised from the platform or side of car.

F represents my improved coupling-link, provided on the upper side of one of its sides with an enlargement, f, having beveled ends f. A similar enlargement, J", is formed on the under side of the opposite side of the link.

The operation of my improved coupler is as follows: The outer end, 0, of the block 0 is nor mally flush with the inner end of the flaring mouth of the draw-head, to receive thethrust of the link, the force of the latter operating to push in the block 0 to allow. the coupling-pin (P to drop through the link by gravity, thus securely retaining the latter in the draw-head. The enlargements f f of the coupling-link, being on opposite sides of the links, operate to keep the latter in proper horizontal position and insure a positive engagement of the parts. To uncouple the cars, it is only necessary to raise the rod D by its handle (1 from the top of the car or by the lever E from the platform or side of the car, when the block, by means of its spring 0, will force the link out of the draw-head, thus effecting the desired disengagement.

I claim 1. The combination, with the draw-head and sliding block, of the pin D, held by guides to the end of the car, and provided with a handle, (Z and a lever, E, substantially as set forth.

2. A coupling-link provided on the upper side of .one of its sides with a beveled enlarge- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER F. FREEMAN.

\Vitnesses:

RoBT. H. WARD, F. J. HENRY. 

